A family comes together, drifts apart, loses its way and finds it in ACT's production of 'On Golden Pond'

By Heather Crabtree

The Entertainer

Over the course of the 2005-06 Albany Civic Theater season, I have laughed so hard I couldn't breathe with "The Underpants," pondered the meaning of life with "Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead," and sang along with "Suessical, the Musical."

But as ACT begins to wind down this season, I have finally found a play I can sit back and enjoy as a theater buff, a production driven by characters and story rather than action.

"On Golden Pond" opens at

8 p.m. Friday, June 9, at ACT.

Additional performances will be at 8 p.m. June 10, 16, 17, 22, 23 and 24; and at 2:30 p.m. June 18.

This thought-provoking play tells the story of Norman Thayer and his wife, Ethel, who are returning to their summer home in Maine for the 44th consecutive year. However, their stay is interrupted when their daughter, Chelsea, arrives with her fiance, Bill, while en route to a European vacation. They leave behind Bill's teenage son, Billy.

"It's basically about family and the importance of family," director Barbara Osterholm said. "The daughter is estranged, and (Norman and Ethel) have a very close-knit relationship even though they have very different personalities. (The daughter) always felt her father wanted a son so she always did things to please him."

The version ACT is producing is an updated version of the Ernest Thompson's original 1978 work. The newer script comes with "optional deletes" that let the director pick and choose ways to make the play modern and shorter.

The play is still longer than most ACT productions at about two hours and 10 minutes.

Osterholm found a terrific cast to pull off this sentimental production.

Calvin Ward and Alice Tucker, who play Norman and Ethel Thayer, are well suited in the lead roles. Their interactions on stage aren't stale or forced. They fall into their characters as easily as sliding on a glove and interact the way the audience would imagine an old, married couple would. There is sarcasm, witty bantering, and occasionally endearing name-calling.

Robert J. Olin plays Charlie Martin, the Thayers' mailman, who has known the family since he was a child. Norman likes to push Charlie around, and the middle-aged man takes it all in stride.

Although the play is about Norman and Ethel, it would have been nice to see more of Charlie. The character is very easy-going and Olin does a fantastic job of portraying that. He's got the New England-Maine accent down, and his soft laughter is just enough to make you smile.

The cast also includes Jan Boucot as Chelsea Thayer, Bruce Wells as Bill Ray, and Jaime Brockman as Billy Ray.

If you go

WHAT: "On Golden Pond," a play by Ernest Thompson.

WHERE: Albany Civic Theater, 111 First Ave. S.W, Albany.

WHEN: 8 p.m. June 9, 10, 16, 17, 22, 23 and 24; and 2:30 p.m. June 18.

TICKETS: $9 general; $6 for people over 60 or under 18. Tickets available at Sid Stevens Jewelers, 140 First Ave. S.W., Albany; Rice's Pharmacy, 910 N.W. Kings Blvd., Corvallis; or at the ACT box office 45 minutes before curtain.

CONTENT NOTE: Suitable for older children.